Book Review: The Hero of Ages

Genre: Fiction/Epic Fantasy

Published by: Tor Fantasy

First Publication Year: 2008 

Author: Brandon Sanderson

As the third, and final, book in the trilogy, I was expecting something big. And Sanderson delivered on many counts. As the world is ending, dying around them, Elend and Vin and the few remaining members of Kelsier’s crew are up against impossible odds: Up against a god—Ruin—who is determined to destroy the world. Using clues left by the Lord Ruler in supply caches, Vin and Elend struggle to piece together how each event—the death of the world, the deaths in the mists, the constant fall of ash—connects to the Hero of Ages, to the ancient prophecies, to the Mistborn & Misting powers of Allomancy and the Terris peoples similar power, Feruchemy (storing physical attributes in metal to be used later), and creatures in the world.

In this novel, there is a lot of focus on the death of the world, how the past shaped the future, how the Lord Ruler recreated the world and had to deal with the consequences, reshaping humanity and the world to survive. Puzzles from previous books come full circle now, and questions are answered. Though, the conflict was stronger emotionally, rather than physically, the clues and answers kept me reading, eager to see how it all connected.

Characters that seemed to shine the most were, surprisingly, minor in the first two novels. Spook, a young man with the ability to burn tin, and the wise, scholarly Terrisman named Sazed. Spook’s transformation from an insignificant character to a leader was well done and his journey played a significant part in the world problem. Sazed’s journey in this book—his search for truth in the dead religions of the world—was significant in a way I never expected. To avoid major spoilers, I’ll not say anything more.     

This novel was a satisfying sequel to MISTBORN & THE WELL OF ASCENSION and uncovered much of the puzzling questions and revelations that the first two left unanswered, letting the trilogy come to a satisfying, fitting close.

Would I read this again: Yes.

My rating: **** (four stars)

Although this was a satisfying sequel and ending to the trilogy, it does suffer from a lack of tightness in plot structure, seemed too long at times, and doesn’t always deliver in terms of emotional impact or characterization. However, when it does deliver, it is done brilliantly and, in terms of plot twists and magic and the way Sanderson allows things to come full circle, the originality of this author shines.

Would I recommend this final novel in the Mistborn trilogy? Yes. If you enjoyed the first two novels and wish to see how Sanderson closes the series, I’d urge you to pick up this novel and find out.



Book Review: The Well of Ascension

Genre: Fiction/Epic Fantasy

Published by: Tor Fantasy

First Publication Year: 2007  

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Now, due to the summary spoiling a key point in the novel, I won’t post it up here. I try to keep these reviews relatively spoiler-free.

In book two of the Mistborn trilogy, Sanderson has raised both the personal stakes and the physical threat. A year after Kelsier’s rebellion, Vin, Elend Venture, and the other members of Kelseir’s crew are left with a fledgling kingdom on the verge of political collapse. With three armies waiting to attack the city of Luthadel—One led by Elend’s father, Straff Venture, another by nobleman, Lord Cett, and another led by Jastes Lekal, a former friend of Elend’s—Elend struggles to keep control of the throne amid this growing threat, and Vin is left wondering about the strange behaviour of the once-comforting mists and of the strange, elusive Mistborn who watches her.

In this novel, there is a lot of focus on the ancient prophecies that shaped the world. On the concept of the Deepness and searching for the Hero of Ages—an ancient champion mentioned to defeat the Deepness. Combined with the raised stakes, this made for a much stronger conflict then the previous novel, and a much more fulfilling read.

As for characters, Sanderson has yet to disappoint. Kelsier’s crewmembers are quite fun and their banters made me smile. Like squabbling old friends, I looked forward when one of them would make an offhand comment to tick off another member. The banter between the pewter-burning (a strengthening metal) Thug, Hammond, and the portly, distinguished Soother (a Allomancer who controls emotions), Breeze, were hilarious.  

If I were to look at character growth, however, the characters that changed most from book one were Vin and Elend. In THE WELL OF ASCENSION, Vin has grown into a competent, strong Mistborn, confident in her abilities. Her personal struggles and frustrations over her inability to protect Elend and save Luthadel and its people and, her determination to do so, only served to make her all the more relatable and human. Elend Venture was probably the one who changed the most through the book. Taught by a Terriswoman Keeper named Tindwyl, he transformed from an endearing, scholarly idealist to an honourable, assertive king.

Again that message of friendship and trust was well done through the novel, just as it was done in the first. But Sanderson also added another factor into the mix: Trusting in those you love to do what’s right, understanding what love really is about: Respect.

This novel was a satisfying sequel to MISTBORN and uncovered much of the puzzling questions and revelations that MISTBORN left unanswered.

Would I read this again: Yes.

My rating: ***** (five stars)

I rated this novel five stars because, although Sanderson’s passive writing style and lack of strong hooks were something that may have hindered the first novel, this novel made up for it with a strong conflict and filling in the blanks with surprising, major twists.

Would I recommend this sequel to MISTBORN? Yes. If you enjoyed the first novel, I’d urge you to pick up the sequel ASAP.

Book Review: Mistborn

Genre: Fiction/Epic Fantasy

Published by: Tor Fantasy

First Publication Year: 2006 

Author: Brandon Sanderson

Back Cover Summary:

Once, a hero arose to save the world. A young man with a mysterious heritage courageously challenged the darkness that strangled the land.

He failed.

For a thousand years since, the world has been a wasteland of ash and mist ruled by the immortal emperor known as the Lord Ruler. Every revolt has failed miserably.

Yet somehow, hope survives. Hope that dares to dream of ending the empire and even the Lord Ruler himself. A new kind of uprising is being planned, one built around the ultimate caper, one that depends on the cunning of a brilliant criminal mastermind and the determination of an unlikely heroine, a street urchin who must learn to master Allomancy, the power of a Mistborn.

MISTBORN was a novel that, admittedly, I thought I would find little interest in. Having read only part of Sanderson’s debut novel,  ELANTRIS (2005), and finding his slightly passive writing style and descriptions a little difficult to follow, I was pleasantly surprised at how well MISTBORN turned out, how much I enjoyed it.

Part one of a trilogy, MISTBORN thrusts the reader into a world full of political unrest, a world run by an oppressive figure known as the Lord Ruler—and, amid it all, those who are beneath the nobility—slaves and criminals. It is within this lower class we meet the charismatic criminal mastermind, Kelsier, and the quiet street urchin, with strange powers, Vin. Along with other allies, these two must band together to begin a rebellion to free the world of its ruler and begin anew.

The summary on the back of the novel does not do it justice. Sanderson has crafted a world as complex and detailed as its unique magic system. And yet, surprisingly, the magic system is so simplistic. The magic of Allomancy—burning metals such as steel, pewter, copper and gold to enhance the wielder’s body and defenses—was one I had never seen in a novel, and was well-integrated into the world-building. In a way, it was a refreshing twist.

Another point I have to congratulate Sanderson on is his skills with character. Though, at first I dreaded his use of a prologue, I was surprised at how he pulled me in with the mysterious and always-smiling Kelsier. How the world seemed to suck me in. And then, how I was curious about the quiet but stubborn Vin. Throughout the novel, I found myself hooked to the story—if not for the interesting subtle class elements, the magic system, or the strange legends within the world—then for the characters. They shone with their own wit and charm and were distinctive, with quirks and sympathies and detailed backgrounds, enriching the world with culture and distinctness. If I had to pick a favourite character...definitely Kelsier. He made me laugh. And he was definitely a hero, an excellent mentor for Vin. Another favourite character was Lord Elend Venture. I won’t spoil his purpose, but he was quite…endearing, the way he would rather read and study then dance at balls. Definitely my type of character.

The subtle message of friendship and trust that Vin and Kelsier talk about and show throughout the novel—within a world where trust is futile and friendship could get you killed— was also well done, and created—for me—a sort of emotional connection with the story, with the cast, that had me wondering if this rebellion would succeed or not.

This novel being only the first of the trilogy, I know the adventure has just begun and I am excited to continue on. I plan to review the whole trilogy, so on the next available date, look for my review on book two: THE WELL OF ASCENSION. 

Would I read this again: Yes.

My rating: **** (four stars)

I rated this novel four stars because, although it was a compelling read, Sanderson’s passive writing style (which was a small thing that could have been fixed), and the lack of strong ending hooks throughout most of the book (again, a small thing), left it just short of a full five star rating.

Would I recommend this first novel? Yes. Definitely. If you enjoy fantasy with a unique magic system, compelling characters and detailed yet subtle world-building, I’d pass this trilogy on wholeheartedly. You won’t be disappointed.